Abstract:
A system for inspecting a battery component includes a heating device configured to heat a surface of the battery component to a selected temperature, an optical-visible imaging device configured to take an optical image of the surface, a thermal imaging device configured to take a thermal image of the surface, and a processor configured to acquire the optical image and the thermal image. The processor is configured to correlate the thermal image with the optical image, identify a feature of interest in at least one of the optical image and the thermal image, determine a geometric characteristic and a temperature characteristic associated with the feature of interest, and determine whether the feature of interest is a defect based on the geometric characteristic and the temperature characteristic.
Abstract:
A method for controlling an electromagnetically-activated fuel injector includes, when a plurality of fuel injection events are close-spaced during an engine cycle, monitoring a respective desired injected fuel mass for each of the plurality of fuel injection events. A desired current wave form is selected from a plurality of current waveforms whereat each respective desired injected fuel mass is achieved based on at least one of the fuel injection events. The fuel injector is controlled using the desired current waveform.
Abstract:
In various embodiments, cameras and mobile platforms are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a mobile platform is provided that includes a body and a camera disposed on the body. The camera includes one or more image sensors, and one or more lens assemblies. The one or more lens assemblies are configured with respect to the one or more image sensors, that at least one image plane from the one or more image sensors is tilted to form a non-zero angle with at least one equivalent lens plane from the one or more lens assemblies, transferring the image focal plane to be parallel to the movement direction of the mobile platform in which the camera is installed. The use of multiple image sensors or lens assemblies in certain embodiments increases camera angle of view.
Abstract:
A method for reducing performance variation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes providing actuator activation signals to the electromagnetically-activated actuator. The signals include current driven through the electrical coil in a first direction. The method detects unacceptable response variations in the armature to equivalent actuator activation signals. And, subsequent to detection of unacceptable response variations in the armature, current is driven through the electrical coil in a direction opposite that of the first direction following actuator activation signals.
Abstract:
Aspects of the disclosure include air flow systems configured to regulate air flow when laser welding to improve laser weld quality. An exemplary air flow system can include a primary inlet coupled to an air source and one or more secondary inlets coupled to the primary inlet. At least one of the one or more secondary inlets can include an internal valve. Each internal valve is actuatable between a fully open state, a fully closed state, and an intermediate state. The air flow system can further include an outlet coupled to each of the one or more secondary inlets downstream of the internal valve and a controller configured to adjust a position of each internal valve. The controller is configured to adjust the position of each internal valve based on an air flow mapping to increase an average air flow velocity along a laser beam of a welding laser.
Abstract:
A system for inspecting a battery component includes a heating device configured to heat a surface of the battery component to a selected temperature, an optical-visible imaging device configured to take an optical image of the surface, a thermal imaging device configured to take a thermal image of the surface, and a processor configured to acquire the optical image and the thermal image. The processor is configured to correlate the thermal image with the optical image, identify a feature of interest in at least one of the optical image and the thermal image, determine a geometric characteristic and a temperature characteristic associated with the feature of interest, and determine whether the feature of interest is a defect based on the geometric characteristic and the temperature characteristic.
Abstract:
A method for detecting thermal runaway of a cell includes: positioning a battery pack having multiple cells in an automobile vehicle; measuring a cell voltage of the multiple cells at a predetermined sample rate; and identifying if the cell voltage decreases and modulates coincident with a cell surface temperature increase indicating initiation of a cell short.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for detecting weld defects, and methods for manufacturing vehicles using such methods or systems, are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving an input indicating a weld material and material thickness by a portable computing device and determining, with the portable computing device, a detection protocol for the weld material and material thickness. Further, the method includes communicating the detection protocol from the portable computing device to a portable heating source and to a portable thermographic sensor, heating a weld with the portable heating source according to the detection protocol, and recording thermographic data from the weld with the portable thermographic sensor according to the detection protocol. Also, the method includes communicating the thermographic data from the portable thermographic sensor to the portable computing device, and analyzing the thermographic data to detect whether the weld includes a defect and/or determine type, dimension and location of the defect.
Abstract:
An apparatus for automobile vehicle rotor temperature measurement includes a motor having a rotor. A stator has the rotor positioned within the stator. An aperture extends through the stator. A sensor is positioned in alignment with the aperture sensing a temperature of at least a surface of the rotor.
Abstract:
A vehicle includes a combustion engine having at least one cylinder to burn a fuel, and a fuel injector to supply a fuel mass to the at least one cylinder. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to cause the fuel injector supply a series of fuel pulses that sum to an aggregate target fuel mass. The controller is also programmed to adjust a commanded duration of a subsequent pulse of the series of pulses from a target pulse duration value based on at least one of a dwell time since a preceding pulse, a fuel mass of the preceding pulse, and an opening delay of the preceding pulse.